'There is so much hatred towards Jews': Posters of missing Israeli children torn down in latest antisemitic attack

Large sections of the posters have been torn down from a boarded-up shop in West Hampstead, an area with a prominent Jewish community.

The shop, which is currently out of use, has placed a notice condemning the actions of those who ripped down the signs.

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It reads: “To those who placed these posters of people kidnapped by Hamas, they were unfortunately removed by people unknown.

“The owners of this shop welcome you to put them back up.

“Please feel free to do so.”

A passer-by who noticed the torn down posters told GB News: “A few nights ago I noticed that the posters of missing Jewish children taken hostage by Hamas had been scratched off of the walls. It is really quite frightening, there is so much hatred towards Jews. I can't believe someone feels so threatened by an image of a missing child.

“I've sadly been victim to antisemitic violence in the London and incidents like this make me feel less safe.

“It was touching to see on my morning commute that the owner of the building had put up a notice which explained the posters can go back up and that they were not the ones who removed the posters.”

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Reacting to the incident, a spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism told GB News: “Tearing down posters of missing people kidnapped by Hamas terrorists is about the lowest of the low. This vile behaviour appears to be an attempt to conceal the barbaric abductions and shield the terrorist group behind them from the disgust that the public feels.

“It is frightening to think that such animus toward Jews exists so widely on the streets of Britain. It is not at all reassuring that the police seem to be getting in on the act as well, shutting down our vans displaying the same images and taking down posters in at least once location themselves. British society urgently needs to remember what our values are."

The incident took place in West Hampstead, which is home to a large Jewish community and several Jewish synagogues.

It neighbours Golders Green and Hendon, areas also known for their prominent Jewish population.

There has been a 1350 per cent rise in antisemtic hate crimes against Jewish people in London, the Met Police have revealed.

On Monday, officers took down posters of missing Israelis, amid fears of an “escalation” of tension within the community.

The force said they received calls from residents after the posters were put up on shop shutters in north London.

The posters were reportedly placed on a chemist in Edgware after some employees posted anti-Israel statements on social media.

The comments have since been deleted and a staff member has apologised for the posts.

A photo circulating of the officers removing the posters has been shared on social media and has received backlash from the Jewish community.

Last month, a Kosher restaurant in London has been targeted as part of an antisemitic attack against Jewish people.

The restaurant in Golders Green, north London was vandalised, with the windows smashed.

A nearby bridge was branded with the words “Free Palestine”.

Reacting to attack, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “There is no tolerance for hate in our city. I remain in close contact with the Met Police. Whoever did this will face the full force of the law,” he said.

“I stand with Jewish Londoners, today and always.”